On February 4, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced formation of a new Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council (WHHCC) to help promote and preserve America's hunting heritage for future generations. The new federal advisory group will replace the Sporting Conservation Council (SCC) and will add representatives from the archery, hunting and shooting sport industries as well as broader representation from the nation's major hunting organizations, reports the Wildlife Management Institute. The WHHCC's charter also more clearly defines its responsibilities in terms of supporting the public, the sporting conservation community, the shooting and hunting sports industry, wildlife conservation organizations, and the state and federal governments.

"We will ask the Council to consider key issues of concern within the wildlife conservation community and assist us in maximizing our conservation and public recreation programs for the benefit of all Americans," stated Secretary Salazar. "The creation of this Council is but another chapter in the remarkable legacy of hunter conservationists in America. It is clear to me that if wildlife conservation is to remain strong in America, our nation's hunting traditions must remain strong."

The WHHCC follows behind the Sporting Conservation Council that was convened by former Interior Secretary Gale Norton in 2006. The SCC spent substantial time in 2008 coordinating the policy recommendations discussed at the White House Conference on North American Wildlife Policy. Implementing the recommendations from the SCC and the White House Conference, found in the Recreational Hunting and Wildlife Resource Conservation Plan?A Ten-Year Plan for Implementation, will be the primary focus of the WHHCC.

In addition to implementation of the 10-year hunting and conservation plan, goals for the WHHCC include:

• increasing public awareness and support for the Wildlife Trust Fund;
• fostering wildlife and habitat conservation and ethics in hunting and shooting sports recreation;
• stimulating sportsmen and women's participation in conservation and management of wildlife and habitat resources through outreach and education;
• fostering communication and coordination among various conservation interests;
• providing appropriate access to hunting and recreational shooting on federal lands;
• and providing recommendations to improve implementation of federal conservation programs that benefit wildlife, hunting and outdoor recreation on private lands.

"Today's conservation challenges demand that we all step forward and embrace the important work necessary to maintain and conserve the wildlife habitat and water resources that are so important to America's hunting and angling heritage," said Secretary Vilsack. "The Wildlife and Hunting Heritage Conservation Council represents an opportunity to expand our partnership with conservation organizations that will improve the health and management of America's public and private lands."

The WHHCC was formally announced in a Federal Register notice on February 5, at the same time the SCC was terminated. The departments are seeking nominations for up to 18 new Council members to be submitted by March 8. The directors of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Land Management, chiefs of the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Administrator of the Farm Services Bureau, along with the Executive Director of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies will serve as ex officio members of the Council. (jas)